ACB keeps watch on government offices

The transaction of notes by people at government entities for paying taxes and other utility bills is under the scanner of the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) after the agency received inputs of alleged misappropriations by certain government employees.

The transaction of notes by people at government entities for paying taxes and other utility bills is under the scanner of the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) after the agency received inputs of alleged misappropriations by certain government employees.

According to ACB sources, all the ranges across the state have been asked to keep a watch on government offices. “There are certain departments such as RTO, hospitals, excise amongst others where old notes are still accepted. However, not all residents are aware of this and there are many who offer new notes for the transaction,” said a high-ranking ACB officer.

Some government employees with unaccounted money which they may have earned through corrupt means and misconduct are exchanging the old notes in their possession to the new ones given by citizens. This is allowing them to convert their black money to white, said sources.

ACB sleuths are also resorting to checks at government offices to ensure that there are no misappropriations. “We also raided Mahalaxmi race course after there were inputs that bets were accepted using old Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes. Further investigations are on,” said the officer.

In accordance with the centre’s move, the state government had on November 10 decided to accept cash that too in old high-denomination currency notes (Rs 500 and Rs 1000) for paying taxes, interest and penalties to all the urban local bodies. It also extended the deadline until November 24 midnight.

The initiative was taken after the central government decided to scrap high-denomination notes — Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 on November 8. The chief minister announced the decision and had sought the required permission from the Centre to facilitate this. This was done after the cash crunch created unprecedented trouble for residents as banks have been unable to provide enough currency.